BITU raises alarm as Hyatt extends closure of hotels in Jamaica to late 2026
Published:Monday | December 15, 2025 | 9:25 PM
The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) has raised serious concerns after Hyatt Hotels Corporation extended the closure of several Jamaica-based, Hyatt-affiliated properties until November 2026, citing the prolonged uncertainty now facing thousands of tourism workers.
In a notice circulated to partners, Hyatt said that following a detailed assessment of the physical damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in October, it has decided to extend the suspension of operations at seven major properties until November 1, 2026, ten months later than the previously announced February 2026 reopening timeline.
The affected hotels are Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa, Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Secrets St James Montego Bay, Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, and Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa.
Reacting to the announcement, BITU said the prolonged shutdown removes a substantial block of rooms from Jamaica’s tourism inventory and places severe strain on hotel workers, their families, and the wider economy.
“This extended closure affects seven major hotels, in addition to the Bahia Resorts, with which Hyatt is affiliated,” the union said, noting that collectively the properties represent a significant portion of the country’s room stock.
BITU stressed that workers must not be treated as “collateral damage” during the recovery process, pointing out that thousands of employees are now left uncertain about income security, access to benefits, and whether they will be recalled once the hotels eventually reopen.
While workers at the Bahia Resorts continue to benefit from union representation and ongoing engagement, the union said a critical gap exists for employees at other Hyatt-affiliated properties who are not unionised.
According to BITU, these workers lack clarity on their employment status during the extended closure, whether any income support or financial assistance will be provided, and whether their jobs will be guaranteed upon reopening.
“Hyatt, as a major global hospitality brand and a key partner in Jamaica’s tourism industry, has a responsibility to clearly state the fate of these workers and outline the concrete measures that will be put in place to protect them during this prolonged closure period,” the union said.
BITU also warned of broader national implications, including potential fallout for airlift, visitor arrivals, tourism-linked services and foreign exchange earnings, at a time when Jamaica is seeking to stabilise its tourism recovery following Hurricane Melissa.
The union has called for Hyatt to publicly outline a comprehensive worker-protection plan for all affected employees, both unionised and non-unionised, and to commit to transparent communication throughout the closure period.
BITU said it stands ready to engage constructively with Hyatt and the Ministry of Tourism to help ensure that tourism workers are protected and retained as the sector works toward recovery.
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